Matching Child Centered Policies to Appropriate Development in Youth Sport
Dec 6, 2023
auto_awesome
Dr. Rick Howard, an Assistant Professor and Sports Performance Coordinator, discusses the importance of matching child-centered policies to appropriate development in youth sport. He emphasizes prioritizing fun, skill development, and social interaction over winning. The podcast also explores the shift from recreational leagues to travel teams and shares a technique for coaching youth athletes. It concludes with a discussion on creating policies that balance structured and unstructured play in youth sports.
Youth sports programs should prioritize child-centered policies that focus on fun, skill development, and social interaction, rather than solely winning and elite teams.
Adopting the Three P's (Performance, Participation, and Personal Development) approach in youth sports policies can create a balance between competitiveness, inclusivity, and individual growth for young athletes.
Deep dives
Child-centered approach in youth sports
In this podcast episode, Dr. Rick Howard discusses the importance of adopting a child-centered approach in youth sports. He highlights that youth sports programs should prioritize the needs and interests of children, focusing on aspects such as fun, skill development, and social interaction. Dr. Howard emphasizes that the current youth sports landscape often prioritizes winning and elite teams, which conflicts with the original intent of youth sports programs. He suggests aligning sports programs with the ages and stages of children's growth and development, considering the psychosocial and social-emotional elements of youth development. By creating a child-centered approach, sports programs can better meet the needs of young athletes and foster their overall development.
The Three P's in Youth Sports
Dr. Howard introduces the concept of the Three P's in youth sports: Performance, Participation, and Personal Development. Performance refers to the aspect of competitiveness and excellence, which should be adapted to different levels and ages. Participation focuses on getting more kids involved in sports, addressing the issue of declining participation rates and the early drop-out from sports. Personal Development emphasizes the individual growth and well-being of each child, allowing them to become the best they can be. Dr. Howard explains that these three pillars together create a foundation for quality youth sports experiences. He highlights the importance of balance and avoiding the sole focus on winning and performance, shifting the narrative towards the holistic development of all children.
Shaping Youth Sports Policies
In this podcast episode, Dr. Rick Howard discusses how to shape youth sports policies to align with the Three P's. He suggests integrating the American Development Model and the Double Goal Coach approach into sports policies. The American Development Model promotes multi-sport opportunities, skill learning, and enjoyment for young athletes. It emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate development and not pressuring kids to specialize early. The Double Goal Coach approach emphasizes not only winning but also participation and skill mastery. Dr. Howard suggests that policy changes could include limiting the number of games per day and promoting free play alongside structured play. By reframing youth sports policies, focusing on the three P's, and prioritizing children's well-being, sports programs can create a more balanced and beneficial experience for young athletes.
Matching Child Centered Policies to Appropriate Development in Youth Sport
Long-term Athletic Development Series Part 3/3
With us today is Dr. Rick Howard who is an Assistant Professor, Coaching Minor Advisor, and Sports Performance Coordinator at West Chester University. Rick comes to us from the youth sports landscape of including muscle strength and motor skills along the developmental continuum. We have an outstanding show for you, shining a spotlight on a very important topic of matching child-centered policies to age and stage appropriate development in youth sport.
